The ETS Proficiency Profile is available in both Standard and Abbreviated forms to meet different institutional needs. Questions are multiple choice and arranged in blocks of three to eight questions in each skill area. Each section tests the same types of skills. This integrated design ensures that all skill areas are tested equally.
ETS® Proficiency Profile
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ETS Proficiency Profile Test Design
Standard form
The Standard form requires 2 hours of testing time and:
- provides scores and proficiency classifications for individual students in addition to the group information
- consists of 108 questions, divided into two sections of 54 questions each
- may be administered either in a single 2-hour testing session or in two separate, 1-hour testing sessions
- includes 27 questions in each of the four skill areas
- offers students the opportunity to earn a certificate of achievement and digital badge
Abbreviated form
The Abbreviated form is administered in a single 40-minute testing session and:
- is created by dividing the Standard form into three smaller forms of 36 questions each
- includes nine questions in each of the four skill areas
Choosing a form
An institution's decision to use the Standard form versus the Abbreviated form will depend mainly on its purpose in testing. Some institutions may choose to use the ETS Proficiency Profile test to assess the skills of individual students. Others may use it to characterize the skills of groups of students, for example, an incoming freshman class or a graduating senior class. In selecting the form that best suits their needs and priorities, an institution should begin by considering:
- how will the test results be used?
- is it important to assess the skills of each individual student?
- is it sufficient to assess a class of students as a group?
The Standard and Abbreviated test forms both offer valuable information and the same level of score detail at the group level. The forms are compared below to help you choose the one that best meets your needs.
| Standard Form | Abbreviated Form | |
|---|---|---|
Delivery method |
Online or paper |
Online or paper |
Administration method |
Proctored (on-campus) — online and paper format |
Proctored (on-campus) — online and paper format |
Test length |
2 hours (1 or 2 sessions) |
40 minutes |
Task types |
108 questions |
36 questions |
Score availability |
Online — reported immediately |
Online — reported immediately |
Minimum # of test takers to produce aggregate reports |
No minimum |
30 |
Certificate of Achievement or Badge |
Online — Yes |
No |
Optional essay |
Yes |
Yes |
Available Scores |
Total score and subscores and proficiency classifications for individual students Total scores, norm-referenced subscores and criterion-referenced scores at group level |
Total score, but no subscores, for individual students Total scores, norm-referenced subscores and criterion-referenced scores at group level |
Payment Options |
Institution pay |
Institution pay |
Customizations
- Add your own questions — Faculty can add up to 50 locally authored, multiple-choice questions and nine demographic questions to meet specific program needs.
- Add an essay — Institutions can gain additional insight into students' general knowledge, critical thinking and writing skills by adding an optional essay.
